Hi guys I just wanted to know something about memory, I know 32 bit systems can handle up to 3.5 - 4.0 gigs of RAM but how many gigs of RAM can a 64 bit system handle. I read lots of different answers like 16 gigs, 16 million gigs, 30 Gigs and so on and so on. Does anyone know the right answer?

Sure. The answer is, "it depends!"

Noting that 32-bit allows for 2 to the 32nd power or about 4 billion (4G) bytes. Therefore, 64-bit is 2 to the 64th power - thats 2 x 2 x 2 x 2... 64 times! and equal roughly 18,446,744,073,709,551,615 bytes, or 18.4 Exabytes = 18,400 Petabytes = 18,400,000 Terabytes = 18,400,000,000 Gigabytes! Big number.

So, in theory, a 64-Bit system should be able to address 18.5 billion Gigabytes of memory.

Show me the motherboard that supports all that!

Originally Posted by Digerati

Show me the motherboard that supports all that!

*cues in Star Wars opening theme* Long long time ago, in a galaxy far far away...

Originally Posted by Digerati

Show me the motherboard that supports all that!

Oh wow is there one? I will just stay with 32 bit for a while 4 GB is OK

Thanks for the great explanation.